Darkness

by Laurann Dohner

  “I ordered them to stand by and we didn’t come to hurt you.”

  “That was nice of you. What was the plan? Grab me while I slept?” She hated that they could have done just that if Missy didn’t have odd habits to fight her insomnia.

  “You’re in danger.”

  “No shit.” She tightened her grip on the gun. “You put me in it.”

  “Not from us. We came to make sure you were safe and take you back to Homeland where our security is much better.”

  “Who am I in danger from then? I’m dying to hear this.”

  “Robert Mason is the brother-in-law of Jerry Boris. That is their connection. Your boss is the brother of Boris’ deceased wife.”

  “Okay. Who is Jerry Boris? What’s the deal with him?”

  “I’ll tell you if you lower the weapon.”

  She knew it was a reasonable request. “Fine but you stay there or it goes back up, am I clear? I will shoot you in the leg.” She lowered it to her side but was ready to lift it if he tried to rush up the stairs. She didn’t trust him anymore and resented it. “Talk.”

  “Jerry Boris was the director of Homeland when it opened.”

  “I thought he wasn’t a New Species.”

  “He’s human. We didn’t run Homeland at first. They did until we took over.”

  That was information she hadn’t known. “Okay. Go on.”

  “He was removed. He didn’t like Species and made trouble for a few of them.”

  “Not exactly a job he should have had from the sound of it. So you arrested him for being an asshole?”

  “He was offered a job running Fuller Prison.”

  She remembered her boss mentioning that place. “What is that?”

  “It’s where we send humans who have done us harm. Most of them are ex-Mercile employees we hunted down. Boris was good for that job since it made him responsible for humans only. Someone thought it would be a perfect place to put him. It was a political move to make sure he stayed silent.”

  “Got it. He couldn’t bitch to the press if he still technically had a job. Why aren’t those jerks in a regular prison?”

  “Your justice system is flawed.”

  She couldn’t exactly disagree. “Go on.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “And the night isn’t getting any younger, nor is this gun in my hand getting any lighter.”

  Darkness growled.

  “Don’t you dare. You’re the one who broke into my house.”

  “Boris had undetected access to our computer systems at Homeland and he used information from the tip line we set up to recover lost Species. Some of them were stolen from Mercile facilities after the first raid. It was televised and gave others warning, allowing them to escape and take Species with them. We hunt for the ones taken. He gathered information from the tip line, verified the solid leads and then erased the messages. He forced the NSO to pay him to obtain the locations of missing Species.”

  “That’s all kinds of fucked-up.”

  Darkness put his foot on the step. “I’m coming up.”

  Kat raised her gun. “Stay put.”

  He stepped back. “We learned what he was doing after he tried to set up a human to take the blame for his crimes. He was arrested and we are holding him at Homeland.”

  “Got it. So Mason wanted him sprung because they are related. That is so unprofessional. What a dick.”

  “We believe Robert Mason might have been working with Jerry Boris. It’s possible he was aware of his activities and tried to use his position with the FBI to protect him. That female Boris tried to blame was at Homeland and FBI agents tried to take her from us. She was the only one who could identify Boris on sight. He was using a false name.”

  She never had liked her boss or thought much of him. To hear he might be involved with something so low didn’t come as a shock. “Mason really has issues when it comes to New Species.”

  “He could hurt you.”

  She shook her head. “No way.”

  “What were your orders going into Homeland?”

  She debated answering but she believed Darkness. Her boss was a lowlife. “He wanted some intel and for me to look for Jerry Boris. I knew it was personal. He made it sound like you guys were a bunch of thugs who were kidnapping innocent people when you weren’t drugging and raping women.”

  Darkness’ mouth dropped open.

  “I didn’t believe that. I was under orders to go so I thought I’d make the best of it. I’d have a little fun, relax, and I liked running the classes. I never searched for Jerry Boris or tried to dig up dirt on the NSO.”

  “What did you put in your report?” He looked pissed.

  “I didn’t file one. I also didn’t exactly let Mason know when I left Homeland. I wasn’t ready to deal with him yet. I planned to go in on Monday and write about how boring everything was.” She shrugged. “You know, how I never left the guest cottage except to teach the classes and that I didn’t learn anything important. He would have been pissed but he calls me a set of tits and thinks I’m doing girls. He’s not my favorite person.”

  “Doing girls?”

  “He thinks I’m into women. I don’t need to tell you I’m not. I pretty much hoped this would blow up in his face. I don’t know how he got his position. He’s kind of a tool but orders were orders. My ass got sent to Homeland. I had to go. How did you figure out I was FBI?”

  “Your false identity was flawed. Our males didn’t make a mistake. I told you that to make you think we bought your story.”

  “Understandable. I wanted to believe that you believed. Game well played. You did drop some hints though.”

  “So did you.” He sneezed.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I smell perfume. It bothers me.”

  “My roommate sprayed some on before she left earlier.” They stared at each other. “I didn’t agree with why I was sent in. Mason is an ass.”

  “Why?”

  “You should hear his theory on dogs sometimes. I’m not repeating it. It was bad enough the first time I heard it, especially since I have one. I’m guessing that he skipped sensitivity training.”

  “Your boss could want to hurt you to keep you quiet once it comes out that we have linked him to Boris.”

  “He sent in other agents too. What do you think? He’s going to turn ninja assassin and take us all out? They didn’t get far but I’m guessing they had orders similar to mine. He’s not going to try to silence that many agents.”

  Darkness turned his head and murmured something she couldn’t hear. Her grip on her gun tightened. She frowned when he looked back up at her.

  “Is your team getting antsy? Why don’t you tell them to get out of my house? I’d also like to suggest you call next time if you want to talk instead pulling this shit. It’s rude.”

  Glass broke somewhere behind her and she spun, startled. Movement caught her eye and she jerked back. Darkness leapt, moving faster than her vision could track. He grabbed her and tore the gun out of her hand. It hit the floor and he lifted her off her feet, slamming her back against the wall.

  “You son of a bitch.”

  “I warned you I could do that. It’s not my fault if you forgot I didn’t have to walk up each step to reach you.”

  “Put me down!” She grabbed his shoulders.

  “I’m taking you to Homeland, Kat. It would make everything simpler if you just complied.”

  “Nothing about you is simple, Darkness.”

  “I know. I want to make sure you’re safe. I’m taking you in and keeping you there for as long as I feel it’s necessary.”

  “Mason isn’t going to come after me. He’ll be too busy protecting his own ass if everything you’ve said is solid. I need to go to work on Monday.”

  “You could work for the NSO.”

  “Doing what?”

  He shrugged. “We’ll figure something out.”

  “You can’t replace the years I have already put in or m
y pension benefits. Do you even know what that is?”

  He leaned in. “Stop.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “Excuse me?”

  “You’re being difficult and trying to piss me off.”

  “You brought an assault team into my house.” She leaned closer until their noses almost touched. “I’m already pissed off.”

  He growled and his lips parted. “Kat.” It was a warning.

  She looked down, seeing his fangs. It was a reminder of the things they’d shared and how much she missed him. He could have sent someone else to pick her up but he’d come himself. That had to mean something. The feel of him against her couldn’t be ignored either. She totally understood a love/hate relationship at that moment. She hated how he’d gone about it but loved seeing him again.

  Her gaze lifted. “Sex isn’t going to make me any more agreeable to go with you.”

  He sucked in a sharp breath, not able to hide his surprised reaction at her words. “Who said I was trying to seduce you?”

  “You’ve got me pinned to a wall and you’re making sexy sounds.” She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. The holstered handgun strapped to his thigh dug into her skin so she adjusted that leg higher, hooking her ankles together behind his spine. “You could have just called if you wanted to fuck me again.” She released his shoulders and fisted one hand in his hair. She yanked, jerking his head up and to the side since he didn’t expect her to do it. She pressed her nose against his throat and inhaled. “What cologne do you wear? It smells good.”

  He stiffened but didn’t jerk away. “It’s just me.”

  Kat smiled at the sound of his voice deepening. “What was it you said to me? Oh yeah. You smell so good I could just eat you.”

  His hands on her hips loosened their grip and slid to her ass, firmly cupping her there. He pushed her tighter against the wall and she could feel his erection against her pussy through the layers of clothing.

  “Kat, don’t.”

  “I thought you were going to never see me again?” She ran the tip of her tongue across his skin, paused right under his earlobe. “Did you bring handcuffs, Mr. Control?” She nibbled on his earlobe. “Control this.” Her hands started to roam his body wherever she could reach.

  His chest started to vibrate and his fingers flexed. He made a deep rumbling sound and tried to move his head away. She gripped the other side of his face with her free hand and kept him there. She released his ear and went for his neck, kissing it and using her teeth to gently nip him. Her thighs squeezed his waist and she wiggled against him.

  Darkness snarled low. “There’re fifteen males waiting for us to leave.”

  “I rated a sixteen-man team? I’m flattered.”

  “I didn’t know if we’d come across another team. I wanted enough males with me to assure that I could get you out. I think Mason will try to kill you.”

  She stopped kissing him and leaned her head back, staring into his eyes. He really thought she was in danger. It sank in that it wasn’t just some ploy to see her again. Part of her was sad about that but the fact that he’d go to such lengths to make certain she was safe warmed her heart.

  “You care about me.”

  He closed his eyes. “Can we discuss this later?” He glanced down the hallway. “We need to go.”

  “Darkness?”

  His dark eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “I’ll go with you on two conditions.”

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  “Two conditions,” she repeated.

  “What do you want?”

  “I get to stay at your place with you if I return to Homeland since I’m in such supposed danger.”

  A muscle in his jaw clenched. “What is the second one?”

  “You get to guard my back in the shower. In the stall with me.”

  “No.”

  “I might wash your back while we’re in there.”

  He growled low. “I don’t do that.”

  “I don’t let a bunch of guys kidnap me but I might allow it to go down if you agree.”

  “No.”

  She licked her lips and liked the way he noticed. She pressed the muzzle of his gun against his thigh. Her thumb assured her the safety was on. “I stole your gun, sweetheart. You were kind of distracted. Do you agree to my terms after all?”

  “You won’t shoot me.” He looked furious.

  “I won’t.” She moved the barrel away. “That’s beside the point. Don’t ever underestimate me, baby. Meet my terms or I’m not leaving with you.”

  “I don’t live with others or shower with them.”

  “I won’t be coming with you then.”

  “I’ll knock you out and take you over my shoulder. You’ll wake at Homeland.”

  “You’d deck me?” Her eyebrows arched in question. “Possibly break my jaw or cause a concussion?” She didn’t really believe it.

  “I’ll handcuff you the way I did before.”

  “I allowed that. That was just a token fight. One of us would get hurt if we really went at it. Agree to my terms or get out of my house.”

  “You’re stubborn.”

  “You are too. I think it might be why we’re attracted to each other. You want a woman with some give but not too much.”

  “That’s not why.”

  “Really? Then what do you like about me?”

  “Everything except your stubbornness. Human females are supposed to be more passive.”

  Kat chuckled. “You’d be so bored if I were.”

  “You’re brave and you aren’t afraid of me.”

  “I don’t believe you’d hurt me. You’re a good man, Darkness.”

  His scowl returned.

  “You are.” She shoved his gun back into the holster and reached up to caress his face. “Even if you don’t want to admit it. You want me to go with you? We sleep together and share showers. I don’t believe I’m in danger but if you want to cover my ass, it better be in the literal sense.” She winked.

  He eased his hold on her and helped her stand. “Let’s go.”

  “May I at least change out of my pajamas first and grab a few things?”

  “Why? According to your terms, we won’t have a reason to wear clothing. I’ll have the team retrieve your pets and seal the broken window. I had them toss a rock to distract you.”

  “Leave them. My roommate will come back in the morning. She can deal with the window too.” She didn’t want to involve Missy. She didn’t believe her boss was a threat, regardless of what Darkness alleged. “The pets are more hers than mine anyway. I’ll just push the table in front of my door so they can’t get in there. The dog can twist a handle with his mouth and I don’t want them having an accident on my floors if she runs late. Her pets, her piss.”

  She walked over to the table hiding the entry into the attic and gripped it. It would allow Missy to get out. “I’ll go to Homeland with you. I know it’s going to be fine. I’ll just be there for a few days.” The walls were thin so she was certain Missy could hear her. She shoved the table in front her door. “Let’s go.” The faster they left, the less chance of Missy being found.

  Darkness took the lead. “Stay close.”

  “I plan to.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “This isn’t the front entrance,” Kat announced, staring out the windows.

  “No it’s not. We have a few hidden ways in.” Darkness sat next to her in the second row of seats. “This is a house we bought.”

  The SUV pulled into the garage and the doors closed. No light came on. The driver switched on a flashlight and got out. In seconds the overhead light came on. It was an otherwise empty space. Darkness opened his door and slid out. “Follow me, Kat.”

  She scooted across the seat, careful of her long sleepshirt, not exposing too much of her thighs. She stood and expected them to lead her inside the house. Darkness took her elbow, turning her toward an exterior door.

  “We are going to the backyard and en
tering Homeland that way,” he informed her softly. “I could carry you. I told you to put on shoes.”

  She’d wanted to leave her house fast. There was a long list of things she wished she could have packed. “I’m good.” The yard was dark and soft grass cushioned her feet. “So far.”

  A low whistle sounded from one of the other three men. It was dark but she could make out shapes. A section of wall covered in what appeared to be vines opened, showing street behind it. The professional side of her didn’t like that they had hidden ways into Homeland.

  “I thought thirty-foot walls surrounded all of Homeland.”

  “They do.”

  She exited the backyard and saw the road wasn’t wide and the massive wall stood across it. “That opens up too?”

  “Nope. Not that section. We’re going up.”

  “Great.”

  Ropes dropped from the top, hitting the ground. She watched a male grab hold of each one and climb hand over hand. Kat clenched her teeth. She hated to admit it but it had been a long time since training and she hadn’t been in a nightgown the last time she’d had to scale a wall.

  “I see a problem.”

  “I don’t.” Darkness turned her. “Wrap around me.” He lifted her in front of him, chest to chest.

  “You can’t climb and hold me.”

  “I can. You’re a hundred forty pounds.”

  “A hundred thirty-eight.”

  “Close enough. Just hold on tight and don’t let go. The officers above us will grab you when I am within reach. They’ll lift you the rest of the way to prevent your skin being scratched by the brick.”

  “Why couldn’t we just go through the front gates?”

  “Mason could be having them watched. We don’t want him to know where you are. It’s safer that way.”

  She hugged his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. “My underwear is going to show.”

  “That’s why I’m waiting to climb last.”

  “You’re so thoughtful.” She hoped he didn’t miss the sarcasm.

  “Let’s just avoid talking right now.”

  She buried her face against his warm neck. His uniform was bulky. “You drop me and I’m going to be pissed.”

  “I’ll make sure you land on me if we fall.”